O Skita, Where Art Thou?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jul 14, 2009 8:31 AM MDT

Courtesy of my friends over at Hugging Harold Reynolds, it's been brought to my attention that none other than all-time Nuggets draft bust - and Denver Stiffs Hall of Famer - Nikoloz Tskitishvili is on the New York Knicks Summer League roster. As pointed out by one of this blog's readers the other day, Skita would tease Nuggets fans annually with stellar Summer League performances which were never replicated in real NBA games. Skita will make his debut with the Knicks today at 4pm MST.

Of more concern to Nuggets fans today shouldn't be their past, but rather their immediate future. At 8pm MST tonight the Nuggets Summer League squad will face off against their San Antonio Spurs counterparts. That means all eyes will be on DeJuan Blair, whom the Nuggets - along with just about every other team in the NBA except the Spurs - passed on in last June's draft. While most of us were in agreement that selling our 34th overall pick might have necessary given the Nuggets current financial situation, there's a good chance we'll be kicking ourselves every time we see Blair suit up in black and silver.

Blair received rave reviews in his Summer League debut by posting a double-double coming off the bench. But if following Skita over the years has taught us anything, it's not to put too much stock in Summer League performances.

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I'm glad to see Skita getting another chance. He has a great outside touch and can take the ball to the basket. He only received significant playing time in his rookie season and was never given another opportunity to get NBA regular season minutes after his injury at the start of his sophomore season. Skita still lives here in Denver and works out at the Pepsi Center. Good luck in the summer league Skita!

by Brian on Jul 14, 2009 10:33 AM MDT reply actions

Did anybody buy the $15 subscription pass to live feeds for the Summer League games? If so would you please let us know what you see. Thanks.

Also Andrew, don't sweat us not taking Blair. I promise you we won't regret it. Sure, maybe the kid has a future in the league as a role player, but nobody other than Sir Charles, under 6'6 will ever make an impact as a PF in the NBA. I have seen Blair play quite a bit, and although he is impressive he won't stand a chance against the best in the NBA.

by Goldennugget on Jul 14, 2009 11:46 AM MDT reply actions

Really I think theirs a good reason all those teams passed on Blair. Shouldn't we be much more excited about a guy named Ty Lawson?

by Chris on Jul 14, 2009 1:42 PM MDT reply actions

Agreed Chris. A guy with two bum knees at the college level can't have much of a pro life. The games are longer, the season is longer, and he'll playing against the best in the world. I don't think his knees will hold up for long.

by Joelsopinion on Jul 14, 2009 2:31 PM MDT reply actions

It is well worth the $15. You get real coverage, with announcers, and multiple camera angles, replays, etc. You also can watch any game live or archived. 55 games total.

by Brian on Jul 14, 2009 3:04 PM MDT reply actions

Blair will be nothing but a Eddy Curry like in NY. End up hurt all the time and 295 pounds. I'm glad we didn't take him. The money we saved will help us get the next bg man Wark decides to bring to Denver.

As far as Skita i think i saw him bagging groceries at safeway the other day haha just kidding. Only in NY would someone like Skita actually get a shot to make the team.

by Garrett on Jul 14, 2009 4:51 PM MDT reply actions

Or is it just that D'Antoni has a mancrush on Skeet? Either that or he has some incriminating pics of the coach. Why is it that he's always giving this guy some Summer League run? Didn't he have him on the PHX summer squad too?

by Eric K on Jul 14, 2009 5:49 PM MDT reply actions

Eric K,
You make it sound like a George Karl and Anthony Carter scenario. lmao

by samiam on Jul 14, 2009 8:07 PM MDT reply actions

Skita will be selling cell phones in Aurora soon...he's terrible and I'm still bitter we drafted him.

Blair will be similar to another guy we drafted...Danny Fortson. I think a lot of this knee and size thing is a little overblown...he dominated Thabeet when they played in college.

by chantech on Jul 14, 2009 8:52 PM MDT reply actions

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STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.